BLF faces interdict over land invasion
THE Black First Land First (BLF) movement could be slapped with an interdict to stop them from occupying one of the most prestigious farms in South Africa.
The farm is linked to businessman Johann Rupert and is situated in the picturesque town of Franschhoek.
According to L’Ormarins (Pty) Ltd’s legal team‚ they became aware that the BLF was considering an unlawful land invasion of the farm properties.
“As a precaution the [Western Cape] High Court was approached for an interim interdict late last year to prevent such invasion.
“The interim interdict was granted without opposition by the BLF and its office bearers‚” the legal team said in a statement.
Lawyers are expecting the interdict will be made final in court today.
Contacted for comment, BLF president Andile Mngxitama said they would not oppose the application.
“It’s a silly application [because he says] we must not be allowed near his farm and not break the law.
“We have no intention of breaking the law‚ we are correcting an injustice. We are addressing historical criminality‚” Mngxitama said.
He said they were compiling a list of Rupert’s other farms “which we are studying and identifying for occupation”.
“No land thief can hide behind the judiciary to defend to hold stolen property‚” he said.
On Wednesday, the movement issued a statement welcoming the fire on some of the farms “illegally owned by the Rupert family”.
They claimed they prayed for drought to punish those who illegally own land.
“Our black God is slowly answering our prayers. Whites‚ for the first time since they arrived here from Europe‚ are experiencing lack of water.
“Before they arrived here we had the water. They came and took our land and water‚” the statement read.
“BLF believes the fire on the Rupert farms is part of the fulfilment of the prophecy as recorded in Matthew 3:11. BLF wishes to ask all black people who work on farms to refuse to take the fires out.
“This fire is a godly fire and as we all know, that which God has started no man can doze [sic] off.
“We warn farm workers‚ please do not put your lives at risk. This fire is here to purify our land so that we may know peace and prosperity again.”